Integrative Ecology Education
Purpose for the activity
Within a world of many conflicting perspectives, it’s important to recognise different stakeholders and their ethical opinions; bodies that represent a particular opinion on a topic or issue. It is becoming increasingly more crucial, in recognising that each representative within a topic/issue has a valued opinion, even if the majority or the reader, does not agree with it.
When presented with local and global issues it is important to be able to identify the various stakeholders, what they represent and why. Within this activity, students will be given the opportunity to understand and learn about what stakeholders are. Students will use their knowledge to recognise and differentiate between various ethical perspectives - why would someone represent their particular ideals? This activity highlights the various social and public opinions and the importance of discern between them.
What this resource contains
Within this resource, the activity is listed with the corresponding curriculum point, as well as a guide to how the students can answer the questions for the activity.
Student Activity instructions
Students to split into 4 groups and watch one video from the list below. They will need to investigate the respective stakeholders and their perspectives, then answer the questions provided in the worksheet. Links to the Youtube and ABC videos provided below and in document.
Victorian Curriculum Links
Levels 7/8
Science Understanding: Science as a human endeavour
Science and technology contribute to finding solutions to a range of contemporary issues; these solutions may impact on other areas of society and involve ethical considerations (VCSSU090)
Science Inquiry Skills
Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems including identifying impacts and limitations of conclusions and using appropriate scientific language and representations (VCSIS113)
Answers to the Questions
a) Who is/are the stakeholder(s)/organisation(s) that is/are involved within the video?
Video 1: Dr Paul Willis representing the RiAus institution, in favour of forwarding development of GM foods.
Video 2: Kurzgesagt presenting a video describing the potential good for GMO’s.
Video 3: The Guardian, representing both sides of the debate.
Video 4: South Australia, Adelaide, representing a non-GMO stance, as well as some who believe it should be unbanned.
b) What is their stance on GM foods/GMOs?
Video 1: They are in favour of further development of GM foods/GMOs.
Video 2: They are in favour of the ‘good’ development parts of GM foods.
Video 3: They show both sides of the debate, both for and against.
Video 4: The state of South Australia present a stance against GM foods/GMOs; however, some members of the public and food industry are beginning to question this.
c) What reasons do they provide to emphasise their opinion?
Video 1: They believe that the previous research on GM foods/GMOs have been incredibly inaccurate, and do not show the reality for the positives for this topic. They think that there is great potential in GM foods/GMOs, and they can be a great ally and of great assistance for us. They don’t believe that eating GM foods, or any GMOs are any different from consuming normal foods that are unmodified.
Video 2: They believe that it can be extremely beneficial for humans. They believe genetic modification removes the ‘chance aspect’ of the best crop, or amount of yield.
Video 3: The side promoting in favour of GM foods/GMOs; believes that they are a large benefit to mankind, including stronger resistances to diseases and issues with crops and foods, as well as providing a larger yield. The side promoting against GM foods/GMOs believe that the main seeds that are available for farmers to buy, of which are genetically modified, are only available through a small number of sources, which forces them to invest into a particular company.
Video 4: People are wanting to know what kinds of food and products they are putting in their bodies, and some do not believe that GM foods/GMOs are safe, or healthy for people to be consuming. The decision for South Australia to ban GM foods/GMOs, is that it is “what the people want”. Conversely, those in South Australia that are for the development and use of GM foods/GMOs believe that the ban is stifling the farming industry/sector.
d) Briefly describe your perspective on this issue.
This section is not necessarily unmarked, but is provided to allow the students to communicate their comprehension and understanding of this topic; as such it cannot, in a sense, be incorrect.